Table Of ContentThe Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike Laniarius brauni:
a summary
Michael S. L. Millfb, Martim Melob, Nik Borrouf and Pedro vaz Pintod
O pican^o de Braun Laniarius brauni, especie ‘Em Perigo’: uma sintese. O pican^o de Braun Laniarius
brauni e uma especie lEm Perigo’ (Lista Vermelha das Especies Amea^adas) que apenas ocorre no norte de
Angola, numa area inferior a 5.000 km2. Aqui revemos a literatura dispomvel sobre esta especie, sintetizamos
a informa<;ao sobre os especimes conhecidos e apresentamos dados sobre as nossas observances originais.
Com estes dados inferimos uma area de ocorrencia de 3.500 km2 e estimamos o tamanho da populacao em
3.500-7.000 individuos adultos (assumindo uma densidade de 1-2 individuos/ km2). A unica estimativa
previa de 498-996 individuos adultos baseou-se numa estimativa incorrecta da area de ocorrencia. Apesar de
ser mais abundante do que se estimava, esta especie ainda preenche os criterios para a categoria ‘Em Perigo’
devido a sua distribuRao restrita. E provavel que a sua area de distribuigao seja maior, mas recomendamos
que se mantenha a classifica^ao ‘Em Perigo’ ate que sejam obtidos dados que comprovem esta suposRao.
Esta especie nao existe em nenhuma area protegida, mas parece tolerar alguma perturbacjao visto mostrar
p referenda por floresta secundaria e bordas de floresta a 600-870 m de altitude. Finalmente, descrevemos
em detalhe as vocalizagoes desta especie e discutimos a literatura sobre a sua posigao sistematica.
Summary: The Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike Laniarius brauni is restricted to an area of less than 5,000
km2 in northern Angola. We review previous literature on this species, summarise information on speci¬
mens and provide details of our own unpublished records. From this we calculate a range size of 3,500
km2 and, based on the assumption of a mean density of 1-2 individuals/km2, calculate a population size
of 3,500-7,000 mature individuals. The only previous population size of 498-996 individuals was based
on an erroneous range size. Despite being more numerous than previously estimated, and potentially more
widespread, it still meets criteria for Endangered status based on range size. We recommend that it retains
Endangered status pending the collection of further field data. The species does not occur in any conserva¬
tion area, although it is perhaps tolerant of some habitat disturbance, favouring secondary forest and forest
edge at 600-870 m. Finally, we describe in greater detail its vocalisations and discuss its systematic treat¬
ment in the literature.
T
he Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike Laniarius Collection localities and recent sightings
brauni has a range of <5,000 km2, limited Braun’s Bushshrike was first collected on 17
to Cuanza Norte and Ufge provinces in northern April 1936 near Quiculungo (08°31’S 15° 19’E;
Angola (Fry & Keith 2000, BirdLife International c.800 m; also Quiculongo or Quicolungo; see
2008, Fry 2009). Owing to its restricted Fig. 1) by Rudolf H. Braun. The specimen
distribution, even tiny errors in reported localities was sent to the Berlin Museum, where Erwin
can distort accurate estimation of range size. Stresemann tentatively described it as the male
Several inaccuracies and unsubstantiated claims of Gabela Bushshrike L. [luehderi\ amboimensis,
exist in the literature, and are outlined below. then known only from a female specimen
Here we summarise fully details of specimens (Stresemann 1937). In 1939 Braun collected four
and review previous literature on the species, additional specimens at Quiculungo, including
providing locality data as accurately as possible. females, and Stresemann soon realised his error.
We also present new and precise information from He invited David Bannerman to describe the
our own field observations. Finally, we provide new taxon, based on these four new specimens,
a fuller description of the species’ vocalisations, two males and two females (Bannerman 1939).
which were described only briefly by Heinrich These four specimens, but not that collected
(1958) and Sinclair et al. (2007), and discuss its in 1936, were sent to the British Museum and
systematic treatment. are still housed there (see Table 1). Bannerman
(1939) described the new subspecies Laniarius
174 -Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) The Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike: Mills et al.
Quibaxi
Samba Caju
Figure 1. A Google Earth (2009) image of record localities (small squares) and important towns (circles) within the
range of Braun’s Bushshrike Laniarius brauni. Most records are from a distinctive area of forest habitats running r.150
km north-south, from r.40 km north-west of Ufge to c.20 km south ol Quiculungo. From Vista Alegre westwards
is another block of forest, although much of this lies below 600 m, the lower altitudinal limit of Braun’s Bushshrike.
Localities: 1 = type locality, 6 km north-west of Quiculungo; 2 = Ro<;a Canzele; 3=15 km south-west of Camabatela; 4
= Bolongongo; 5 = 30 km south of Ufge; 6 = Dembos forest; 7 = 20 km south of Quitexe; 8 = 7 km west of Quibaxi; 9
= rio Dange. Blue and purple lines indicate roads.
Figura 1. Uma imagem do Google Earth (2009) com as localidades de registo (quadrados) e povoacoes importantes
(cfrculos) na area de distribuiqao do pican^o de Braun Laniarius brauni. A maior parte dos registos provem de um
tipo de floresta distinto que se estende na direcQo norte-sul ao longo de cerca de 150 km, a partir de cerca de 40 km
a noroeste de Ufge ate cerca de 20 km a sul de Quiculungo. De Vista Alegre para oeste existe outro bloco de floresta,
mas a maior parte encontra-se abaixo dos- 600 m, a altitude minima a que ocorre o picango de Braun. Localidades:
1 = localidade tipo, 6 km a noroeste de Quiculungo; 2 = Ro<;a Canzele; 3=15 km a sudoeste de Camabatela; 4 =
Bolongongo; 5 = 30 km a sul de Ufge; 6 = floresta de Dembos; 7 = 20 km a sul de Quitexe; 8 = 7 km a oeste de
Quibaxi; 9 = rio Dange. Linhas azuis e roxas indicam estradas.
luehderi brauni, for its collector Braun. It should Heinrich collected a series of 13 specimens,
be noted that the locality details in the type bringing the total to 21 (Table 1). The last
description, ’Quicolungo, Angola, circa 09°50’S record of the species in the 20th century was in
15o20’E, south of the Cuanza River' (Bannerman November 1957. Extraordinarily, based on the
1939) match those given by Sick (1934) and are specimens we have traced and a thorough review
erroneous; Stresemann (1937) corrected Sick’s of the literature (Dean 2000; W. R. J. Dean
(1934) error to 08°29’S 15°16’E, but Bannerman unpubl. data), prior to 2005 the species was
(1939) overlooked this (Traylor 1962). This known from the records of just two people, Braun
locality is c.6 km north-west of Quiculungo and Heinrich. In addition to the type locality,
town, and just 2 3 km south-east of Bolongongo specimens were taken at (based on information in
(08°28’S 15°15’E). museum catalogues):
Braun collected another specimen in 1945
• rio Dange: 08°09'S 15°12’E, 810 m, r.20 km
and two more in 1946. Then, in 1954-57, Gerd
west of Camabatela (08°12’S 15°22’E);
The Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike: Mills et al. Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -175
Table 1. A chronological list of the 21 specimens of Braun's Bushshrike Laniarius brauni we have traced. All are of adult specimens. Locality
data is given according to the relevant museum catalogues in inverted commas, followed by the locality name we use. Museum abbreviations
as follows: AMNH = American Museum of Natural History, New York; BMNH = British Museum of Natural History (now The Natural History
Museum), Tring; FMNH = Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago; NMNH = Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC; YPM = Yale
Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven; ZMB = Museum fur Naturkunde, Berlin; ZMH = Zoologisches Museum Hamburg.
Tabela 1. Uma lista cronologica dos 21 especimes de picango de Braun Laniarius brauni que conseguimos localizar. Todos os especimes sao
de adultos. 0 nome da localidade dada por cada museu esta entre aspas e e seguido do nome da localidade dado por nos. As abreviagoes dos
nomes de museus sao: AMNH = American Museum of Natural History, New York; BMNH = British Museum of Natural History (actualmente: The
Natural History Museum), Tring; FMNH = Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago; NMNH = Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC; YPM =
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven: ZMB = Museum fur Naturkunde. Berlin: ZMH = Zoologisches Museum Hamburg.
Date collected / Collector / Museum / Specimen no./ Location / Localidade
Sex
Data da colheita Colector Museu Especime n°
17 April 1936 Braun ZMB 36.1061 ‘Quicolungo’; 6 km north-west of Quiculungo M
*11 April 1939 Braun BMNH 1939.8.4.1 'Quicolungo, Angola; -8.45/15.28'; 6 km north-west of Quiculungo M
22 March 1939 Braun BMNH 1940.12.2.13 ‘Quicolungo, Angola; -8.45/15.28'; 6 km north-west of Quiculungo F
1 April 1939 Braun BMNH 1940.12.2.14 ‘Quicolungo, Angola: -8.45/15.28'; 6 km north-west of Quiculungo F
23 April 1939 Braun BMNH 1940.12.2.12 ‘Quicolungo, Angola; -8.45/15.28'; 6 km north-west of Quiculungo M
4 May 1945 Braun ZMB 49.25 ‘Roga Alto Dange'; assumed to be Dange River F
27 November 1946 Braun AMNH 344028 ‘Camabatela, Dange River’; Dange River M
29 November 1946 Braun AMNH 344027 ‘Camabatela, Dange River’; Dange River M
6 April 1954 Heinrich FMNH 221265 ‘Canzele, 30 km W Camabatela'; Roga Canzele M
**6 May 1954 Heinrich FMNH 221264 ‘Canzele, 30 km W Camabatela'; Roga Canzele M
**6 May 1954 Heinrich AMNH 800773 ‘Cantele, Qual Sul R.’; Roga Canzele M
27 March 1955 Heinrich ZMH 58.500 'N-Angola, 15 km S v. Camabatela'; 15 km south-west of Camabatela F
27 March 1955 Heinrich ZMH 58.501 ‘N-Angola, 15 km S v. Camabatela’; 15 km south-west of Camabatela F
30 March 1955 Heinrich FMNH 225389 ‘Camabatela, 15 km SW'; 15 km south-west of Camabatela M
1 April 1955 Heinrich FMNH 225390 ‘Camabatela, 15 km SW'; 15 km south-west of Camabatela F
1 April 1955 Heinrich ZMH 58.499 ‘N-Angola, 15km S v. Camabatela'; 15 km south-west of Camabatela M
17 September 1957 Heinrich NMNH 583410 ‘Roca Canzele, North of Quiculongo, 600 m’; Roga Canzele M
21 October 1957 Heinrich NMNH 583411 ‘Roca Canzele, North of Quiculongo, 700 m’; Roga Canzele M
21 October 1957 Heinrich NMNH 583412 ‘Roca Canzele, North of Quiculongo, 700 m’; Roga Canzele F
28 October 1957 Heinrich YPM YPM 95206 ‘Cuanza Norte Province. Elev. 1969 feet, -8.467 15.267’; Bolongongo F
30 October 1957 Heinrich YPM YPM 95205 ‘Cuanza Norte Province. Elev. 1969 feet, -8.467 15.267’; Bolongongo M
16 November 1957 Heinrich NMNH 583413 ‘Bolongongo, North of Quiculongo, 700 m’; Bolongongo M
*the type specimen
** refers to the same specimen, first sent to the FMNH and later exchanged with AMNH
• Roga Canzele: 08°17’S 15° 1 TE, 870 m (Dean specimens. These are the only specimen localities,
2000), r.25 km north of Quiculungo, 27 km despite Camabatela being listed as a known
west of Camabatela and 9 km south-west of locality by Dean (2000) and Fry (2009). This
the rio Dange; sometimes spelt Cantele or is particularly important because Camabatela is
Canzela; located in grassland and open woodland, with no
suitable habitat for Braun’s Bushshrike within 10
• 15 km south-west of Camabatela: c.08°l6’S
km of the town.
15°15’E, 830 m, and c.7.5 km east of Roga
In addition, Chapin (1954) reported the species
Canzele; and
from Quibaxi (08°30’S 14°35’E) to Camabatela,
• Bolongongo: 08°28’S 15°15’E, 870 m, just
citing Rudolf Braun (pers. comm.) but provided no
2 3 km west of the type locality.
supporting evidence. Pinto (1960) also mentions
We have assumed, based on its name, that that it occurs in the Dembos area (a municipality
Roga Alto Dange (see Table 1) must be on the based on Quibaxi; also Quibaxe), but no source
Dange River and hence treat the locality as is given. It should be noted, however, that we
the rio Dange, from where there are two other have now recorded the species from Quibaxi
176- Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) The Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike: Mills et al.
(details below). Finally, Dean (2001) mentions this information, and all records mentioned herein
a possible record of Braun’s Bushshrike from are from 600-870 m, which should be regarded
near Dondo (09°4l’S 14°25’E), based on the as the species’ altitudinal range until further data
presumed misidentification of an out-of-range become available.
report of Crimson-breasted Shrike L. atrococcineus
from nearby Bom Jesus (09°10’S 13°34’E, 30 m) Habitat, range, population size and
in Gunther & Feiler (1986). Because the observers threat status
did not mention the possibility of the record Although Braun’s Bushshrike is typically regarded
belonging to Braun’s Bushshrike, and the record as a forest species, Heinrich (1958) described
comes from 160 km south of Braun’s Bushshrike’s its favoured habitat as densely overgrown, liana-
known range and well below its known elevational rich gallery forest, and thickets at the edges of
range (which is 600-870 m), this record can safely clearings in more extensive forest. He concluded
be assumed not to refer to Braun’s Bushshrike. that it shunned the interior of primary forest.
Consequently, the suggestion that it occurs in Our records agree with this and the reports in
Kissama National Park (Dean 2001, BirdLife Traylor (1962; no source is given), with all of our
International 2008) no longer holds; the species sightings being from secondary forest or forest
does not occur in any conservation unit. edge, although we surveyed few areas of primary
Then, in January 2003, Braun’s Bushshrike forest. These observations suggest that the species
was found for the first time in 48 years along the is at least tolerant of, and may even favour,
main road south of Uige town, Ufge province, in disturbed forest. However, complete clearance of
degraded forest (Sinclair et al. 2007). This locality forest understorey for agriculture is widespread
has been reported as both ‘30 km south of Ufge’ within its range and appears to render the habitat
(I. Sinclair et al. in Bull. ABC 12: 177) and ‘the unsuitable for Braun’s Bushshrike, so habitat
approach to Ufge town’, ‘40-60 km north-east modification remains a significant threat.
of the type locality’ (Sinclair jt al. 2007). The The only previous range size estimate is of
correct locality is c.30 km south of Ufge town an Extent of Occurrence of 4,600 km2 (BirdLife
and 5-10 km north of Quitexe (07°56’S 15°02’E; International 2000, 2008). Using the updated
PVP pers. obs.) at c.07°51S 15°02’E (680 m); information presented herein, we suggest by the
this is c.80 km north-west of the type locality. same definition a range of r.3,500 km:, smaller
The next available sightings, in November 2005, than that estimated by BirdLife International
were by NB & PVP from Dembos forest at (2008) because we reject the possible record from
08°35’S 14°21’E, 650 m, c. 100 km south-west
of Quitexe, Cuanza Norte province, extending
the known range significantly, if the reports by
Chapin (1954) and Pinto (1960) are discounted.
Finally, in August 2009 MSLM & MM spent
three days in forests in the Bolongongo and
Quiculungo areas, and driving from Camabatela
west to Quitexe, passing within 10 km of Ro^a
Canzele. No Braun’s Bushshrikes were found in
this region, despite use of playback of the very
similar Luehder’s Bushshrike Laniarius luehderi
vocalisations (see Vocalisations). However, four
pairs were quickly found 20 km south of Quitexe
at 08°01’S 15°00’E (790 m), also in degraded
Figure 2. The bright orange breast of Braun s Bushshrike
forest, and a single bird was heard c.7 km west
Laniarius brauni distinguishes it from the chestnut¬
of Quibaxi at 08°31’S 14°31’E (780 m). To
breasted Luehder's Bushshrike L. luehderi (Nik Borrow)
our knowledge, these are the only records other
Figura 2. O cor-de-laranja vivo do peito do picanco
than the specimens discussed above. The species’
de Braun Laniarius brauni permite distingui-lo do
altitudinal range has been stated as 600-1,265 m picanco de Luehder L. luehderi cujo peito e castanho
(Fry 2009). We are unable to trace the source of (Nik Borrow)
The Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike: Mills et al. Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) -177
near Dondo (Dean 2001), 160 km to the south. Vocalisations ‘
However, further records will almost certainly Owing to the species’ skulking nature (Heinrich
reveal the species to be more widespread. Satellite 1958), knowledge of its vocalisations is important
imagery from Google Earth (2009, http://earth. for future surveys of Braun’s Bushshrike. Playback
google.com/) reveals a distinctive area of forest of calls by NB & MSLM elicited excited responses
habitat running c. 150 km north-south, from from birds, so playback of vocalisations should be
07°16’S to 08°34’S, and 40 km east-west, used in future surveys. Heinrich (1958) described
between 15°20’E and 14°42’E, much of it within the calls as distinctive and consisting of (i) a
the known altitudinal range of Braun’s Bushshrike short, low, far-carrying growl (kurr or urr) given
(600-870 m). There is also a large block of more individually, between long pauses, (ii) two soft
open forest south-west of this, although much of notes followed by two loud notes, rendered
the latter lies below 600 m (Fig. 1). These forests didi — dudu, (iii) a loud sharp, tschakdudodederr
need to be explored more extensively to establish when disturbed, and (iv) a repeated, loud, sharp
the species’ true range and habitat requirements. tschak... tschak... tschdk in warning. Sinclair et
Owing to the paucity of records, it is impossible al. (2007) describe the bird’s voice as deep and
to estimate the species’ general abundance. guttural and Very similar to both Luehder’s L.
However, Heinrich (1958) found that each luehderi and Gabela Bushshrike L. amboimensis,
dmger’ of forest penetrating the grasslands west both in their contact-calls and duetting song’.
of Camabatela had one or several pairs of Braun’s Chapin (1954), although he never saw the species
Bushshrikes, and 3-4 pairs were found by both himself, wrote ‘it has a voice much less pleasing
Sinclair et al. (2007) and MSLM & MM within a than that of [Southern Boubou, probably referring
small area. These records suggest that the species to the Tropical / Swamp / Southern Boubou
is generally common in suitable habitat, although complex] L. ferrrugineus, and similar no doubt
PVP considers that it is much less common to that of nominate luehderi. Finally, Harris &
than Gabela Bushshrike is on the central scarp. Franklin (2000) give some further descriptions,
Importantly, however, it should be noted that repeated in Fry (2009), but we are unaware of the
the population estimate by BirdLife International source of these.
(2008) of 498-996 individuals is based on the NB & MSLM made sound-recordings of
wrong range size—460 knr instead of 4,600 Braun’s Bushshrike during our field observations;
km2—and hence is an order of magnitude smaller those of MSLM are archived at the British Library
than it should be. Using the same assumption of Sound Archive and will be published on Mills (in
1-2 individuals / km2 and our own range estimate, prep.). These recordings were copied digitally,
we calculate a population size of 3,500-7,000 edited with Goldwave software (www.goldwave.
individuals. com), inspected aurally, and used to produce
The species is currently listed as Endangered, sonograms with Raven Lite software (Cornell
meeting criteria Bl, of having an Extent of Lab of Ornithology 2003-05). Recordings and
Occurrence of <5,000 km2, and C, of having sonograms were compared to vocalisations of
a population size estimated at <2,500 mature Gabela Bushshrike presented on Mills (2007)
individuals (BirdLife International 2008). Based and described by Ryan et al. (2004) and Mills
on our population estimate of 3,500-7,000 (2009), and of Luehder's Bushshrike presented on
individuals, it no longer meets Endangered species Chappuis (2000) and discussed by Mills (2009).
status for small population size. However, the The commonest vocalisation is a low-pitched
known range is still smaller than 5,000 km2, within growl or croak, emitted at regular intervals. This
which its population may be fragmented and call is analogous to the ‘worrrk’ call of Gabela
declining. Although we expect Braun’s Bushshrike Bushshrike (Ryan et al. 2004). The rate of delivery
to be more widespread and numerous than is (seconds between calls) varied significantly; of
currently known, and the species may warrant three recordings made of 50 seconds or longer, the
downlisting to Vulnerable, we recommend this slowest delivery was every 4.7 seconds. However,
be done only when proof is available, in the form when excited by playback, birds increased the rate
of field data from new localities that extend the of deliverv to an average of every 1.7 seconds (n =
J O J
known range. 1 recording of 97 seconds). Limited observations
178-Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) The Endangered Braun s Bushshrike: Mills et al.
1.3- A
1.2-
1.1 -
1.0-
0.9
0.8-
0.7-
0.6 -
0.5- .
0.4 -
0.3-
0.2-
0.1
1“
0.9
4.5 -|
4.0 -
3.5 -
3.0 -
-N 2'5“
X
W 2.0 -
S3 1.5 —
O"
CUz.. 1.0 -
0.5 -
n-1-1-I-1-1-I-i-1-1-r
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—i-1-i-1-1-i—¥—¥—i—¥—— -|—
0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.50
Time (s)
Figure 3. Sonograms of the vocalisations of Braun’s Bushshrike Laniarius brauni. A: two croak / growl calls delivered at
different frequencies, by different birds calling simultaneously. B: duet, with the presumed male giving a croak / growl
call and the female a series of loud clicks. C: threat / display-flight calls of the male: two harsh clicks, followed by four
melodious whistles, the first whistle higher pitched than the following three.
Figura 3. Sonogramas das vocalizagoes do picango de Braun Laniarius brauni. A: dois tipos de ’grasnar’ emitidos em
diferentes frequencias por varios individuos ao mesmo tempo. B: dueto, com o macho presumido a grasnar e a femea a
emitir uma serie de estalidos altos. C: vocalizagoes de ameaga e/ou de voo de parada do macho: dois estalidos asperos,
seguidos por quatro assobios melodiosos, dos quais o primeiro com a frequencia mais elevada.
reveal both the pitch and duration of this call to be warning call described by Heinrich (1958) and
variable, with pitch varying between at least 0.65 similar to that of Luehder’s Bushshrike (Chappuis
kHz (mean; range 0.4-0.9 kHz) and 0.95 kHz 2000) (Fig. 3b). The only other vocalisation heard
(0.8-1.1 kHz; Fig. 3a). These frequencies overlap by us during field observations was a series of notes
with those of the analogous calls of LuehdeFs given during a short, slow threat / display-flight,
and Gabela Bushshrikes (Dowsett-Lemaire 1990, in which the presumed male alternated between
Mills 2009), and these calls cannot be used to exaggerated flapping and gliding, with its back
differentiate the species. The croak / growl is also feathers puffed-out. This display-flight is similar
given in duet by one member of a pair (thought to that made by Swamp Boubou Laniarius bicolor
to be the male because of its more aggressive (Fry & Keith 2000). The sequence commences
responses), while the other bird makes a series of with one or two harsh clicks, followed by four
4-10 loud clicks, like the tschdk... tschdk... tschdk melodious whistles, the first whistle higher pitched
The Endangered Braun’s Bushshrike: Mills et al. Bull ABC Vol 18 No 2 (2011) 179
-
than the following three (Fig. 3c). No other sulfureopectus is also known as Orange-breasted
melodious whistles, like those commonly made Bushshrike or Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike. To
by Gabela and Luehder’s Bushshrikes, were heard. prevent confusion we prefer the unambiguous
However, our observations may not account for name Braun’s Bushshrike, as employed by Fry &
the full vocal repertoire of Braun’s Bushshrike, Keith (2000), Fry (2009) and Gill et al. (2009).
and the second call described by Heinrich (1958)
may be of a melodious whistle similar to those of Acknowledgements
Gabela and Luehder’s Bushshrikes. MSLM & MM thank Jose Dala for his field
companionship during August 2009. Nigel Collar and
Systematic treatment and nomenclature Richard Dean kindly commented on this manuscript in
The Laniarius luehderi complex comprises four draft and Bob Dowsett on a later version. The following
generally recognised taxa: the similar luehderi are thanked for their assistance with information on
specimens in their care: James Dean of the Division of
and castaneiceps races which are always treated as
Birds, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of
subspecies of Luehder’s Bushshrike L. luehderi,
Natural History, Washington DC; Paul Sweet and Scott
and the distinctive brauni and amboimensis whose
Haber of the American Museum of Natural History,
systematic treatment has varied. Bannerman
New York; David Willard of the Field Museum of
(1939) described brauni as a subspecies of L.
Natural History, Chicago; Cordula Bracker of the
luehderi, but remarked that it was ‘extremely
Zoologisches Museum Hamburg; Kristof Zyskowski
tempting to give it the status of a full species’
of the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, New
due to its distinctive plumage. This treatment of
Haven, Connecticut; Sylke Frahnert of the Museum
brauni as a subspecies of luehderi has been followed
fur Naturkunde, Berlin; Jose Granadeiro of the Museu
in much of the literature (Hall & Moreau 1960,
Nacional de Historia Natural, Lisbon; and Mark
White 1962, Collar & Stuart 1985, Howard
Adams of the Natural History Museum, Tring. Dieter
& Moore 1991, Dowsett & Dowsett-Lemaire
Oschadleus kindly assisted by translating Heinrich
1993, Harris & Franklin 2000, Dickinson 2003).
(1958). Funding for the 2009 field trip came from
Hall & Moreau (1960) considered brauni and
Tasso Leventis of the A. P. Leventis Ornithological
amboimensis as incipient species whose status
Research Institute and the Centre of Excellence at the
requires verification. Sibley & Monroe (1990) Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology.
were the first to give brauni and amboimensis
species status; they regarded them as allospecies, References
i.e. members of the L. luehderi superspecies. This Bannerman, D. A. 1939. A new bush-shrike from
treatment has been followed in most recent works Angola. Ibis 14: 746-750.
(Clements 1991, Monroe & Sibley 1993, Collar et BirdLife International. 2000. Threatened Birds of the
al. 1994, Fry & Keith 2000, BirdLife International World. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions & Cambridge,
2008, Fry 2009, Gill et al. 2009). Given the UK: BirdLife International.
distinct plumages of brauni and amboimensis, we BirdLife International. 2008. Threatened birds of the
world 2008. CD-ROM. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife
recommend their treatment as full species until
International.
such time as a robust and complete phylogeny
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